1. Separate orders from subscriptions
An order records a purchase; a subscription tracks an ongoing agreement and renewals. WooCommerce Subscriptions is a separate extension. Define the amount, schedule, any trial and cancellation policy before configuring products.
2. Confirm gateway capabilities
Check the official compatibility table for the exact extension and payment method. A Stripe or PayPal logo does not guarantee automatic renewals. Also check support for amount changes, refunds and payment method changes required by your shop.
3. Prepare Stripe or PayPal
Connect the gateway and verify notifications. PayPal capabilities depend on the subscription method, account permissions and saved-payment configuration. Confirm recurring support before enabling it. Begin with a simple subscription product and test accounts.
4. Check scheduled work
In WooCommerce → Status → Scheduled Actions, look for failed or overdue tasks. Renewals need reliable processing during quiet periods too. Ask for a scheduling review if needed; do not bulk-run payment actions without checking their state.
5. Test the subscription lifecycle
On a staging copy isolated from production payment accounts, verify:
- Creation, initial payment and next renewal date.
- Successful renewal, failed payment and customer follow-up.
- Cancellation, card changes and refunds where supported.
6. Investigate a failed renewal
Compare the subscription, renewal order and provider event. A local status alone does not establish whether a charge occurred. Before a manual retry, verify that no successful payment already exists. Keep staging shops isolated to avoid duplicate charges.
Related service
WooCommerceOfficial documentation
Labels and options vary with versions, plugins and your account. Refer to publisher documentation for your configuration.